Uma courts Bollywood in boom time

Hollywood actor Uma Thurman’s love for Indian films is well timed. Her statement on Thursday that she would love to work in a Bollywood film, coincided with the release of the industry’s box office report for the first six months of 2011.

Hollywood actor Uma Thurman’s love for Indian films is well timed. Her statement on Thursday that she would love to work in a Bollywood film, coincided with the release of the industry’s box office report for the first six months (Jan-June) of 2011. It was the perfect icing on the cake for the upbeat mood, as the scorecard revealed unprecedented profits, with as many as 19 films declared as hits.

“The register has been very good this year so far, especially compared to last year. Most mainstream commercial films did well. The ones that couldn’t rake in the moolah are art house films like Stanley Ka Dabba, Shaitan, etc. But still the overall losses have been minimal,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Producer Bhushan Kumar, whose film, Ready, has been the top grosser of the year so far, says Thurman’s inclination to work here will add a further boost to the mood. “Earlier only our stars would get excited about Hollywood. But it is great that now even we have become that big that they want to come and work here,” he says. “Interest shown by a great international star such as Uma Thurman couldn’t have been at a better time. It’ll take Bollywood’s appeal worldwide,” adds Adarsh.

Trade analyst Joginder Tuteja says, “Overall this has been a very good year. The net losses have only been Rs 75 crore. There have been surprise hits like Ragini MMS and Pyaar Ka Punchnama. The biggest flops have been 7 Khoon Maaf and Game.”

While last year’s biggest hit Dabangg, was made on a budget of Rs 42 crore and ended up making Rs 212 crore, this year Ready, that cost Rs 40 crore, has been the highest grosser so far with Rs 118 crore.

Even films with moderate budgets set the box office registers ringing. No One killed Jessica that took Rs 9 crore to produce, ended up getting revenues worth Rs 35 crore, while Yamla Pagla Deewana, which was made on a budget of Rs 20 crore had a gross revenue of Rs 55 crore. “Despite World Cup and IPL, we still managed to swim the tide, thanks to films like Ready, Yamla Pagla Deewana and Ragini MMS,” says trade analyst Atul Mohan.

The second half of 2011 has already begun with a bang this Friday with Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap, Delhi Belly and Transformers opening with a bang to packed houses.